Daily Number

12.1%

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says that 12.1 percent of New Jerseyans do not have enough money to ensure a nutritious, active life throughout the year.

What’s more, 4.6 percent are considered to have very low food security, which is defined as at least one member of a household being forced to reduce food intake and disrupt eating patterns.

According to the USDA, the problem of food insecurity is typically shielded from children, although nationally 1.2 percent of children face the problem along with their families.

New Jersey Policy Perspective, a left-leaning think tank, released a statement along with the USDA data arguing that this is the wrong time to cut Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds, also known as food stamps, as Congress is expected to consider doing next week.